CUDDAPAH: Agriculture scientists will embark on a farmer awareness campaign from April 25 to May 15 to enlighten ryots on scientific farming practices, the Director (Research) of N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, A. Padmaraju, said.

Addressing a three-day Southern Zonal Research and Extension Advisory Council meeting at the Syndicate Institute of Rural Development here, he called for concerted research to resolve farmers' problems, which were aplenty in Cuddapah district.

Farm scientists deputed

Three farm scientists were deputed to each agricultural division in the district, to extend technical knowhow, promote drip and sprinkler irrigation and guage achievements, he said.

A Krishi Vignana Kendram was set up at a cost of Rs. 1 crore at the farm research station at Utukur, the Collector, Jayesh Ranjan, said. A field study was conducted at Bakkayapalle in Khajipet mandal, where ryots raised groundnut in 150 acres in Rabi season, he added.

`Sri' paddy variety being raised in the district warranted high investment, but yielded high crop yield and income with lesser water, he stated. He sought research on sunflower crop too.

The Associate Director of N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, B. Chenchu Reddy, said the State was demarcated into seven zones. Eighteen mandals in Cuddapah, Chittoor, Nellore and 15 mandals in Prakasam district were designated as southern zone. He spoke about cropping pattern, productivity issues and progress of research.

Groundnut variety

Dr. Chenchu Reddy suggested raising of high-income generating castor and bengal gram as an alternative to rain-fed groundnut.

A new groundnut variety would soon be released. Agricultural officials should create awareness among farmers about change in cropping pattern and farming practices, the university board member, R. Zaheera Banu, observed.

Problems identified

The meeting would evolve a technical plan for agricultural research and extension for 2005 Kharif season, the Joint Director of Agriculture, M. Rajeswar, stated productivity problems of major crops were identified for discussion at district-wise meetings on April 20, he said.

The university's Associate Dean, Sivaiah, said farm waste and powdered dry leaves could be used as cattle feed.

Farm scientists, agriculture officers and model farmers of four districts took part.

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